Are you hungry for a musical comedy with a lot of bite? Look no further than the Oak Ridge Playhouse, where a giant cabbage is chewing up the scenery (and the bystanders).

Yes, it is silly season at the Playhouse what with its season-ending run of “Little Shop of Horrors,” a classic of camp comedy with book, lyrics and music by Oscar-nominated Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Before it was a musical, it was a Roger Corman film with screenplay by Charles Griffith. During the play’s many mutations, a tiny potted plant was waiting to grow into a full stage monster. The fun comes from watching it grow and its insatiable appetite for human flesh. Bet you cannot wait to see its Venus Flytrap mouth talk trash and catch victims.

We understand Director Reggie Law welcomed the challenge of creating the puppets that represent the four growth spurts of the plant. With volunteer help from a dozen or more people, the task was completed (or exhausted). We have to say the plant, which only the creators could love, is a tour de force. Add one more innovative feather to Law’s crowded cap.

In combination, the plant’s presence and voice are hilarious. Dann Black’s voice is perfection personified, whether in song, jive talk or yelling “FEED ME!” And what can you say about Adam Bell’s manipulations, except WOW! Much care is taken with all physical aspects. We salute Law, Camden Simon, Sandra Herrera, Virginia Baldwin, Kendel Overholt, David Zannucci, and Alison Ulino.

Score still another win for the casting. Bleu Copas illuminates his character in ceaselessly compelling ways. He is Seymour, a simpleton who works in a rundown flower shop down on Skid Row “where the rainbow’s a no show.” He develops a prize plant that becomes a blood-seeking person eater. As the plant gets hungrier, Seymour gets more discombobulated. That coupled with his big crush on his work partner (Audrey) keeps him in an emotive frenzy. Copas completely disappears into his character, and with a great voice for his songs he can’t miss.

Anna McCoig also embodies the role of Audrey (a cross between Blondie and Marilyn Monroe). Her innocence, her beauty and her good voice all conspired to allure. Her song “Somewhere that’s Green” was particularly lovely. Matt Koehler returned for a tremendously deserved stage call, but he played a multitude of roles from an Elvis-like dentist to a female CEO. It is amazing what wigs, makeup and costumes can do, but even more amazing was the versatility of Koehler’s acting.

Mushnik, the beleaguered owner of the struggling flower shop, has no use for his two employees until Seymour’s rare plant (named Audrey II) becomes the envy of all florists. When Mushnik looks at the novel plant, he sees only dollar bills. Jeff Bell captures well the greed and fickleness of Mushnik.

Page 2 of 2 - Three singing narrators sound like angels even when their songs are more Motown inspired than heaven inspired. There are a lot of winning songs in Menken’s score from do-wops to sentimental love songs. This treble trio of outstanding singers has the bulk of them. One will never know where they might pop up on the stage, but wherever they light, the harmony blend is wonderful. Take a deep bow Shane Harris, Jessica Magers-Rankin and Alexis Tidwell.

Is “Little Shop of Horrors” grossly dark? Yes, but in such a silly way it is very funny. Is Skid Row depressing? Nah, and the stage set is very good! Are we recommending “Little Shop of Horrors”? You bet, but you may want to cancel your dentist appointment. That reminds us to thank the Hardin Valley Orthodontics for presenting the play.

Becky Ball is a reviewer for The Oak Ridger.

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Performances continue at 8 tonight, Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Final performances are Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. For more information, log on to www.orplayhouse.com or call (865) 482-9999.